Shoe-lining.



C. A. STEWART.

SHOE LINNG.

APPLICATION msn DEc.21,19|5.

Pn'tented Apr. 17,1917.

CHARLES A. STEWART, OF ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHOE-LIN ING.

Specification of Letters '.Patent.

Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

Application filed December 27, 1915. Serial No. 68,731.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. STEWART, of Andover, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, Vhave invented a new and useful Improvement in Shoe-Innings, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in explaining its nature.

The present invention relates to an improvement in shoe linings and especially to those made of cloth or leather or other fibrous material.

My invention has for its object the correction of avery common fault in a shoe lining, and I refer to the tendency of the lining to wear out in the back part of the shoe above the heel, or where' the heel of the wearer rubs against the lining. Not only is this a difficulty inshoes that have been worn for some time but often new. shoes which show practically no signs of wear in otherrespects will soon show wear at this point. The defect is a serious one presenting not only an unsightly appearance but also wear upon the stockings and discomfort to the wearer. In so far as'I am aware this difficulty, although so apparent and so common, has never been corrected as it exists in all shoes made at the present time.

'It occurred to me that if the lining was saturated or coated with some material which would have the effect of'hardening and toughening it, making its fabric so that it will ynot be injured by the moisture of perspiration, and giving said portion of the lining an enamel-like, smooth wearing surface to reduce friction, beneficial results might be obtained, and upon experiment very satisfactory results were obtained, even beyond my expectations.

` A better understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to the drawing in which the figure represents a plan of a portion of a shoe ,lining embodying my invention. l

Referring to the drawings That portion 1 of the lining shown isthat particular part which lies in the back of the shoe directly above the heel and which covers the counter lof the shoe, 2 indicating that part or edge of the lining which is attached to the sole at the heel, and 3 the back stitching where the two parts of the lining are sewed together. 4 is portion of the lining treated in accordancewith my invention and is that part against which the heel of the foot normally has contact during walking. The treated portion 4 does not necessarily have the form indicated, nor need the lining be treated to the extent indicated although I prefer the lining be treated from the heel to al point a little above the top edge of the counter and well around to the right and left.

The lining is treated by applying to it some material or substance that will impart to the lining the characteristics above referred to, and I have found the following composition to be exceedingly good in this connection, viz: a composition of white shel'- lac and zinc oxid in the proportionate parts of l gallon shellac to 1 pound oxid. The application is made by a brush or may be made in any other suitable manner and may be made before or after the lining is applied tothe shoe, although preferably the application is made before the lining is placed in the shoe.

After application the composition dries very quickly leaving that portion of the lining treated not only hardened and toughened -as regards its wearing properties, but making its fabric so that it will not be injured by the moisture of perspiration and imparting tov said portion of the lining an enamel-like, smooth wearing surface which will soon wear very smooth reducing friction to a minimum, and which cannot be casilyworn through or cracked.

One application of'the material is all that is necessary although I prefer two or even more applications if the lining is of heavy rough substance for lit will sooner wear smooth.v Of course repeated applications of the material might give the lining an initial smooth enameled surface,. but this is not necessary;

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States :m

1. A shoe lining having applied to that portion thereof which comes at the rear porltion of the shoe, and which covers the counter, a layerl of a solidified, smooth-wearing, Wear-resistant material, on the side forming the inside of the shoe, whereby the said portion of said lining is rendered more wear-resisting.

2. A shoe lining having applied to that portion only thereof which comes at the rear portion of the shoe, and which covers the Counter, :L layer of a solidified, smoothwearing, Wear-resistant material, on the side forming the inside of the shoe, whereby the said portion of saidlining is rendered more Wear-resisting, and whereby a smooth inner surface is presented in that portion of the shoe above the heel.

3. A shoe lining having applied to that portion thereof which comes at the rear portion of the shoe, and which covers the counter, :i layer of a solidified, smooth- Wearing, Wear-resistant material, on the side forming the inside of the shoe, said material being capable of reducing the moisture-absorbing property of suid lining, whereby the said portion of said lining is rendered more Wear-resisting.

4. A fabric shoe lining having applied to that portion thereof which comes at the reni' portion of the shoe, and which Covers the counter, a layer of a solidified, smooth-wearing, Wear-resistnnt material, on the side forming the inside of the shoe, whereby the Said portion of said lining is rendered more Wear-resisting.

CHARLES A. STEWART. 

